Pen worked her father restaurant, since she was little. It's all she know and dream about. Her parents want her to attend college. She lies about it, pretends she is going but can't make herself go in. Her dream is to have a bakery right next to her father restaurant. All that goes to flames, when she reveals her lies. She gets fired and thrown out of the house. On her own, she need to find a place to live and new job.

Xander came to the country alone, abandoned by both parents, still in search of his father. He lives with his grandfather and is undocumented. He was looking for a father figure everywhere, even in gang leader, but when he saw what was really going on, he came out. Now determined to turn a new leaf, he gets a job at the restaurant.

Restaurant is like a symbol to the people, gives them a sense of community and belonging. There is a place for anyone that needs help.

There is violence, gangs, fear, immigration issues, and in the midst of all that Pen & Xander find something beautiful. They find love, family, somewhere to belong. There is happiness in the middle of something so horrible and heartbreaking and ugly.

Pen is inspiring she doesn't let depression and panic and anxiety held her back. She finds bravery within emotional struggles, strength because of it. And the description of mental issues... it's so accurate, I could relate so much.

This is very important book especially in this time. It's one thing to read the news, you can detach yourself, but it whole another thing to put story to each and every one of those numbers, to put humanity to faces, stories they all have. It give a whole another prospective on what is going on right now in the world.